Southend United manager Phil Brown believes his side fully deserved their 2-0 victory over Portsmouth in this afternoon’s Sky Bet League 2 clash at Roots Hall.

Blues came out on top in a hard-fought battle against ex-Premier League outfit Pompey, as second-half goals from Barry Corr and substitute Shaquile Coulthirst lifted Brown’s men up to eighth place in the table.

The win also put an end to Southend's five match winless run, as Brown urges his side to continue their form heading into away games at Cheltenham Town and York City this week.

“It was a hard-fought win for sure,” said Brown. “But, against Portsmouth you’re always going to be guaranteed a big game and that’s what it was today.

“They had 1,500 supporters turn up today and it made it a great atmosphere with the place rocking and when our fans get behind the team, the players respond and I felt that’s exactly what we did today.

“It was a good strong performance and I believe we were worthy winners.

“I made reference post-match we have a big week with three games. We’ve started it off with a win and now hopefully we can compound this with a decent performance at Cheltenham who are one of the form sides and then at York.

“It’s a big week and it’s only September the 13th so hopefully we will be starting off on the front foot and finish on a high Tuesday night as well as Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Brown was pleased to see his side score from a set-piece – an attribute he feels his team need to work on more.

He continued: “If we are going to be a threat this year, set-pieces are going to be important. When we get some good play in the final-third it ends up in a set-piece.

“I thought we were more clinical and Barry’s (Corr) header was what the best strikers do.

“The quality of balls we were playing haven’t been any different from in the last 25 to 26 games. We just haven’t got on the end of it – it’s not luck, it’s about commitment and desire, maybe a cut eye for the cause, but that’s what we need and if that wins us games then job done.”